Date: 09 Apr 2025
Enhanced Emergency Homeless Accommodation Provision
Following a number of recent enquires, Donegal County Council would like to confirm its continued commitment to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the county. Recent enhancements to the emergency accommodation service model are part of a broader effort to improve the quality, oversight, and effectiveness of homeless supports, in line with the Homeless Action Plan for the North-West Region (2023-2028).
During 2024, the Council launched an Expression of Interest process to identify suitable providers of emergency accommodation. This initiative, in response to Action 1 of the Regional Homeless Action Plan, resulted in two providers being brought on board and now operating centres on a pilot basis in Letterkenny and Bundoran. These centres are designed to offer enhanced accommodation options that are safe, supervised, and align to the needs of service users. It is anticipated that additional centres, if needed, will be commissioned through time to give a wider geographical spread across the County.
This new approach builds on the previous model, with feedback from clients and other agencies, where clients were required to source their own emergency accommodation in private hostels or B&B type accommodation. This often proved challenging particularly during the traditional holiday periods or when large events were taking place within the County. The revised approach provides a range of benefits, including:
- Improved quality and oversight of accommodation for individuals and families;
- Dedicated family-only accommodation to better meet the needs of children and parents;
- On-site supervision ensuring a safe and secure environment;
- Minimising anti-social behaviour by reducing inappropriate congregation of vulnerable groups;
- Better value for money, with agreed nightly rates;
- Proactive support for service users through care plans and regular reporting.
In addition, these centres also provide a continental breakfast and access to wrap-around services to help individuals transition to long-term housing solutions. The Council's recently appointed HAP Placefinder Officer will also be working closely with service users to secure permanent accommodation and reduce the duration of stays in emergency centres.
The Council is focused on delivering a more structured and supportive service that prioritises dignity, safety, and outcomes for those in need. All cases are reviewed on an individual basis, and this will continue to be the focus to ensure the immediate and long-term needs are considered in supporting clients to securing long term stable accommodation.
Donegal County Council is currently supporting the following clients in emergency accommodation:
- Individual Females: 9
- Individual Males: 32
- Families: 3 – consisting of 3 adults and 8 children
Donegal County Council does not comment on individual or family cases of homelessness.
